Obituary of James A. Stratton

James A. Stratton, 58, of Cty. Rte. 99, Woodhull, NY, passed away at his home on Wednesday, October 5, 2016 following a brief illness. Jim faced his sickness head on and never lost a positive spirit. Born in Hornell, NY on June 24, 1958, he was the son of the late Lloyd A. and Mary J. (Wood) Stratton. He attended Addison Central School. On July 31, 1976, he and the former Darlene M. Hatch were married in Addison. Darlene survives. They made their home together on the family farm of his mother and step father. Jim was a 25 year employee of the Eberle Tanning Co. in Westfield, working as a foreman there up to the time of its' closing. Being a skilled craftsman, he then established his own construction contracting firm which he called J S Contracting. He worked proudly side by side with his sons in the business and taught them the value of quality workmanship and fair business practices. Jim was an avid outdoorsman and loved to fish and hunt. His greatest love and source of enjoyment and pride was his family. He cherished his wife Darlene, was a very proud and loving father and mostly he adored his 8 grandchildren. Jim is survived by his wife of 40 years, Darlene Stratton at home, his sons and their wives, James and Brandy Stratton Jr. of Addison and Eric and Tracy Stratton of Woodhull, his daughter and partner, Stacey Stratton and Bob Townson of Addison, his grandchildren, Cole, Devon, Cheyanne, Shaylah, Mysan, Amaya, Ashton and Rylin, his step father, Dick Causer of Lindley, his siblings, Tammy Gigee of Knoxville, PA, Bonnie Smith of Roseville, PA, Michael Stratton of San Diego, CA, Kelly Stratton of Long Island, Karen Goodrich of Florida, Debbie Stepan of Texas, Alan Smith of Florida and Brian Stratton of Troupsburg, his mother in law, Geraldine Hatch of Addison and many nieces, nephews, cousins and in laws. Besides Jim's parents, Lloyd and Mary, he was preceded in death by his brother Wade Causer. Friends may call at the H.P. Smith & Son Inc. Funeral Home, 1607 Main St. Woodhull, NY on Tuesday, Oct. 11, 2016 from 2-4 and 7-9 PM. Funeral services will be conducted there on Wednesday at 1 PM with Rev Brian Diffenbacher officiating. Burial will be in Nelson Cemetery, Nelson, PA.�� Service: Wednesday, October 12, 2016 1:00 PM�� H.P. Smith & Son Inc. Funeral Home 1607 Main St. Woodhull, NY�� Visitation: Tuesday, October 11, 2016 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 PM�� H.P. Smith & Son Inc. Funeral Home 1607 Main St. Woodhull, NY��